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Te Aroha. The popularity of Te Aroha as a health and pleasure resort is steadily growing. The receipts for the year ending 31st March, 1909, amounted to £1,751 lis. 3d., an increase of £86 Bs. Id. as compared with the return for 1907-8. During the year a very pretty and substantial tea-kiosk has been erected in a commanding position in the sanatorium grounds, and has supplied " a long-felt want " both to visitors and residents. The revenue received from this source for the period during which the kiosk has beeir. open—viz., Ist December to 31st March—was £77 4s. 3d. During the year a choice collection of carnations, salvias, begonias, &c, was donated by H. Brett, Esq., of Lake Takapuna, Auckland, for beautifying the grounds; also a splendid collection of roses by F. W. Boynton, Esq., Fort Street, Auckland, to initiate a rose garden. Waitomo and Ruakuri Caves. The number of visitors to these sights was well maintained throughout this year, although it has been found that the completion of the Main Trunk Railway has had a tendency to draw away visitors who previously broke their journey and stayed the night at Waitomo. The house-accommodation had to be supplemented by the use of two house tents and a marquee during the season. The visitors numbered 1,245, against 1,227 during 1907-8; and the receipts £656 17s. 5d., compared with £584 ss. lOd. during 1907-8, an increase of £72 lis. 7d. An up-to-date accommodation-house is now being built, and it is anticipated that next season will see a largely increased number of visitors, and a correspondingly larger revenue from this resort. Both the Waitomo and Ruakuri Caves are in good order, and the tracks giving access to them have received considerable attention during the year. Tongariro National Park. The completion of the Main Trunk Railway during the year has brought this park within easy reach of visitors, and large numbers of people have taken the opportunity of climbing the group of volcanic peaks within the area of the park—viz., Ruapehu, Tongariro, and Ngauruhoe. The latter was towards the close of the year in a state of unusual activity, and erupted vast quantities of fine ash which, carried by the prevailing winds, were scattered over a large tract of country. Up to the time of writing this mountain continues, at intervals, to give further evidence that it has not yet settled down to its normal condition of subdued activity. The accommodation available for visitors in the vicinity consists of two rough huts, which are quite inadequate to the needs of the rapidly increasing number of people visiting the district, so that the question of providing a suitable accommodation-house is one that will require consideration in the near future. Taranaki. The visitors to the Egmont National Park numbered 6,150, as against 5,100 during 1907-8, a substantial increase of 1,050. An addition of six rooms has been made to the "Tourist Cottage" at Dawson's Falls, and several improvements have been made at other houses by the Domain Board. A considerable amount of new road formation and improvement to existing roads and tracks has been carried out. The report of the Chairman of the Board appears in the appendices. The Domain Board recovers a subsidy of £200 annually from this Department. Lake Waikaremoana. The number of visitors during the year was 183, and the revenue £493 15s. 2d., a slight improvement on last year's figures. This resort would prove more popular if the means of access were improved, as at present the time taken to reach it is excessive. The fishing this season has been excellent, fish up to 11 lb. having been taken, and the average was 4 lb. 8 oz. The red deer are increasing very fast, and have been seen in many parts of the district, so that deer-stalking may soon be added to the list of attractions in this beautiful neighbourhood. Te Puia Hot Springs. The number of visitors to these springs during the year was 1,020, and the receipts £355 9s. Id. The visitors show a small decrease on the previous year's figures, but the revenue increased by £14 10s. 9d. The accommodation-house is old and in bad order, and this fact, with others, accounts for the restricted business done. Some improvements have been effected during the year, such as fencing, bush-clearing, and grass-seeding, and when a new house is erected there is no doubt that the visitors will largely increase. The surrounding district gives promise tif rapid progress. Tahawera Hot Springs. These springs are greatly appreciated by the people of Napier and adjacent districts, who are now able to get a bath under comfortable conditions in a well-appointed building, in place of the tumble-down structure and primitive bath formerly in use. Owing to the springs being in such an awkward position—viz., on a steep rock face overlooking the river—trouble has been experienced with landslips, which will necessitate some protective work being provided.

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